| Chapter 4: Fear |
| It was Jade's birthday and she had invited most of her friends to her party at her house. Her parents were also hiring her favourite band to the party and they were going to have a buffet dinner. On that evening, she eagerly took a final inspection of her decorations before changing into an elegant dress her mom had made for her. The short flowing dress was in her favourite colour -pale green and it was so soft and cooling on her smooth skin. The moment she put it on she fell totally in love with this dress. 'It's a witchy dress and comfortable to wear!' she mentally exclaimed. Swirling around in her dress, her mouth was pulled in a tiny smile. She stopped in front of her bedroom floor-length mirror and saw a slender and elegant girl with a wistful expression on her beautiful face. Her long hair flowed down her back as she pulled the ribbon off. With the lightest touch of makeup, she skipped down to the living room, waiting for her friends to arrive. Her parents had left early to let her enjoy the party without any parental humiliation. Jade was really appreciative of her parent's thoughtfulness. After all which teenager would want their parents to fuss over their friends? The party was to start at 7pm, but it was only 5.30pm. Bored, she switched on the TV and let her mind drift. She was so absorbed in her daydreaming that she almost didn't hear the ringing of the door bell. Hurriedly, she ran to welcome her friends but got a shock of her life instead. The person at the door wasn't any of her friends, but was someone she didn't expect to see again. "Hello Jade dear! Aren't you going to invite me in? My you sure looked sensual in This dress," He spoke sweetly, his hand reaching for her hand. Her shock forgotten as she quickly shut the door behind her and pushed the guy out of her doorway. "Don't 'dear me here and dear me there'! Why the hell are you here anyway, Michael Kerry?" Jade snapped at him angrily, her fists clenched tightly. "Whoa! Relax, darling. I'm not intending to kidnap you again, don't worry. Besides, my love, how could I not come for your birthday right?" Mike replied in the same sweet tone. His eyes hardened as he continued, "You don't have any boyfriend now right?" Jade gave a loud sarcastic laugh and almost spat her words at him bitterly, "Why would you care anyway? It's none of your business anymore. Mike, can't you just stop messing with my life?" "You are wrong, Jade. I do care about you. I really care. I love you, Jade. I know you do too. I'm sorry about last time. I didn't know why I did that. I'm really sorry. Will you forgive me?" Mike pleaded, his eyes filled with pain and guilt. Jade walked away from him and stared aimlessly in the space. Her feelings warring with one another, she didn't know what to do. The truth was she did still love him but� how could she trust him again? She could feel Mike's eyes burning on her back. She risked a 'look' at his mind and felt the pain he felt all these times. It was against her ethnics to read people's minds but she had to do it. Still, even though she saw his true feeling, she was afraid. Empowered by her sorrow and pain, she threw out all the questions that had been haunting her since the day Mike disappeared. "If you cared, why did you leave without any word? If you loved me, why did you try to hurt me? Why did you kidnap me and leave me with that despicable Kenny Jim? Answer me why!" Jade's voice raised an octave higher as her tears started to flow down her cheeks. She put her face in her palms as she cried, her body trembling. Mike's own tears fell as he pulled Jade into his arms. He let her cry on his shoulder as he answered softly, "I left because I was too ashamed to face you. I didn't know he'd going to hurt you. He told me that he just wanted something from you. I thought it was just a jewel or something. That it was crucial for him to take it from you personally. I really didn't know he was going to kill you. I didn't know he was an evil mage. I'm sorry Jade! Please forgive me. I love you very much. After I left you, I missed you a lot. I wished I hadn't been as stupid as to being bribed by him. But I needed that money Jade. My mom was sick with brain cancer and she needed the money for her medical expenses. I honestly thought I could repay him the normal way. " |
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| When Love Turns to Hate |